This week’s episode includes the latest from Clifffs, The Retinas, Skyler, The Ellipsis, and the Blue Soap Music Blue Soap Box Top 10 in independent tracks.
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Prof Drops ‘Squad Goals’ Video (The Week in #Indie Segment)
Prof has dropped his new video for the single titled ‘Squad Goals’. This has got to be the most original and interesting video I have seen this year, by a longshot. I know that’s a hardcore way to start a review, but this video demands that declaration. I mean, Mr. Rogers, PTSD, pill-popping, and more in under four minutes. Try fitting that many lucid subplots together in anything, even involving music.
Having said that, this music is brilliant. Steady. Rhythmic. Staccato. Each deserving itself as a sentence. One thing I like about the Rhymesayers artists is that they bring entertainment and introspective reflection back into music, but now Prof brings the fun.
Watch the full episode of The Week in #Indie HERE.
Click HERE to watch Season 6 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 5 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 4 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 3 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 2 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 1 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.ABOUT PROF
With an album, entitled ‘Powderhorn Suites’, set to drop on June 26 via Rhymesayers Entertainment, the Minneapolis rapper shows no signs of dampening his off the wall, no-holds-barred approach to music. Nothing is sacred in the “Squad Goals” music video as Prof returns to form as a truly eccentric entertainer. He delivers a nod to the “U Name It” challenge while masquerading as a roguish Mister Rogers—popping pills, dancing on set, and pausing for a Vietnam flashback. The madness escalates scene by scene while Prof effortlessly changes his vocal inflection to match each punchline in the track.
Anticipation for a new album has been steadily building since Prof teased fans with the release of his “Cousins” music video. The album loosely follows a singular concept of all the activity taking place in a fictional hotel. “There are so many different things happening in a hotel at one time,” Prof explains. “Somebody’s doing drugs. Somebody’s having sex. There’s a fight over there. Someone’s trying to get some rest over here. There’s just so much going on in one place.” The same can be said for Powderhorn Suites, a remarkable rollercoaster of a project that hits stunning highs and features dramatic lows.
Longtime Rhymesayers fans will recall a show-stopping performance at Soundset 2018, during which Prof cemented his reputation as an exceptional performer capable of simultaneously inspiring awe and laughter. While his touring plans have been grounded for the time being by the coronavirus, Prof hasn’t stopped connecting with fans. Airing a series of Instagram Live videos entitled “Prof’s Creative Academy,” the emcee has delivered a deep dive into his creative process, welcomed guests such as Murs and label mate Grieves, and proven that his razor-sharp wit can shine through any medium.
LINKS:
https://rhymesayers.com/artists/prof
https://facebook.com/profgampo
https://instagram.com/profgampo
https://twitter.com/profgampo -
Jammerzine’s The Week in #Indie for 11/4/2019
Jammerzine’s The Week in #Indie for the week of November 4th, 2019 includes exclusive interviews with dUg Pinnick, Fly My Pretties’ Barnaby Weir, and Danny Chavis from The Veldt. Also featured are premieres from Lunar Twin, North America, Owen Denvir, RISE, The Summercamp, and Too Many T’s.
About dUg Pinnick
Rare is it when I get to talk with someone of such knowledge and depth. Rarer still is when that learned musical scholar is also one cool and down-to-earth guy. That guy is dUg Pinnick. dUg is a virtual one-man walking history of music. Having honed his style and tone in the ’70s and solidified his place in music in the ’80s with King’s X, dUg played it all, done it all, heard it all, and been it all. And now we get the honor of hearing some of those stories and much more from the badass of bass in this exclusive interview.
In this interview, we get the latest news on King’s X’s new album and tour (dates below), the dirt on his other bands including KXM with George Lynch and Ray Luzier as well as his reflections on his just-completed Jimi Hendrix tribute tour with Joe Satriani and even a much-needed health update on King’s X bandmate Jerry Gaskill and so much more! Consider this interview a lesson in musicianship and a guide to living free.
LINKS:
http://www.dugnation.net
https://www.facebook.com/dugpinnickfanpage
https://www.instagram.com/dugpinnick
https://twitter.com/dUgpinnick_
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/dug-pinnick/id73055633?uo=8&at=1001ldnQ
https://www.youtube.com/user/douglaspinnick
https://www.kingsxrocks.com
https://www.facebook.com/KingsXofficial
https://www.youtube.com/user/alienbeans
https://twitter.com/kingsx
https://www.instagram.com/kingsxofficialAbout Fly My Pretties
When I first found out about New Zealand’s Fly My Pretties, I was astonished at how much of a collaborative effort it is while being as smooth running as it is. Their new album, and first studio album titled ‘The Studio Recordings Part One’ is an audio dynamite stick filled with the diversity that only a well crafted and tightly knit family of artists who know how to work together and work off the feeling of each other. And it shows (embed playlist below).
And in this interview, we get to talk with the brainchild of this effort, Barnaby Weir. In the interview, we get to know the roots of this family tree as well as the creative process that comes with each effort that Fly My Pretties undertakes plus much, much more.
LINKS:
http://www.flymypretties.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fly-My-Pretties/70526150479
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1D2FFBD9ABFB296E
https://twitter.com/FlyMyPrettiesNZ
https://flymypretties.bandcamp.comAbout Lunar Twin
Lunar Twin returns with a sonically dreamy and melodic turn for the evolution of their careers with their new single and video titled ‘Leaves’. The track is one of those that creeps up to you in a good way and lends that tender surrender of the ears and mind and gives that beautiful turn for the serene with soulful vocals and a quietly ascending cinematic progression with a steady yet poignant backbeat. Think U2 as a more electronic band with an original twist and emotional delivery that only Lunar Twin can deliver.
LINKS:
http://www.lunartwin.com
https://www.facebook.com/Lunartwin
https://lunartwin.bandcamp.com
https://twitter.com/lunartwinmusic
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuvRCdg_rfg6YBMd324hNXg/videos
https://soundcloud.com/lunar-twin
https://instagram.com/chriscontrollerAbout North America
East London quintet North America releases new single ‘Leave Us To Fate’. A rolling ballad encompassed in ethereal guitar work, the song is a bittersweet reflection on love’s subjugation to fate.
Frontman P.F. Phillip says, “Leave Us To Fate is a bittersweet goodbye to love now lost, a reminiscence of a romance that inevitably could not be.” Torn apart by separation, the protagonist encourages himself and his former lover to live and carry on, while admitting to a hopeless desire that they meet again in an unknown future.
Written, recorded, produced and released by the band themselves, ‘Leave Us To Fate’ is a cathartic release of emotion that encapsulates the band’s lyrical poeticism and sense of indie grandeur.
North America is a London based 5-piece creating viscerally energetic and introspective indie-rock that embodies the anthemic quality of their songwriting. Hailing from São Paulo and California, frontman P.F. Phillip met guitarists Gabe Coulter, Jack Rennie, bassist Sandro Giacometti, and drummer Sam Roberts at the world-famous Metropolis Studios before forming North America in 2017 over a refined appreciation of trashy American comedies and questionable pizza joints.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/northamericaofficial
https://www.instagram.com/northamericaofficial
https://twitter.com/northamericabnd
https://soundcloud.com/northamericaofficial
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYLulTJDkFWPGiIEg55ArxQAbout Owen Denvir
Owen Denvir dropped his new EP titled ‘Sticks’ on November 1st, 2019. With the panache of a showman and the creativity of a troubadour, Owen gives a varied and stylistic set of tracks that truly lay credence to his body of work and showcase his talents as a singer. And Owen really has the voice for this body of work. His range is perfect for what he is utilizing it for but that weathered emotion within is what is the most captivating. Layer that amongst the solemnly orchestrated music and you have that true magic bottled by an artist.
LINKS:
http://www.owendenvir.com
https://www.facebook.com/OwenDenvir
https://twitter.com/owendenvir
https://www.instagram.com/owendenvirAbout RISE
RISE delivers a score for her beautiful voice in the form of her new single and video titled ‘Temples’. The meaning of this video is striking in its execution, having been filmed in and around select abandoned properties on the West of Ireland. Shot with grainy and subdued aesthetics that perfectly flow with the music in a very cinematic way, ‘Temples’ encapsulates that silent drama within us all that constantly blur the borders between complicity and compliance and that struggle that helps, or hurts us in finding that medium.
RISE is a musician that knows how to write and perform what she feels and isn’t afraid to face those demons that stifle us all when confrontation results. Simply beautiful.
LINKS:
https://www.riseofficial.net
https://www.facebook.com/talitharise
https://www.instagram.com/r_i_s_e_music
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7HpWYxWrJpeNlyhlDGD14M
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgctenga8Vhhxj65Ap2-LSg
https://twitter.com/RISE_MusicianAbout The Summercamp
The Summercamp drop their new video and track in the form of their new song titled ‘Pull’, and we have this premiere right here! These party-pirates from Pittsburgh have what a lot of artists in the mainstream lack these days; personality. Built on the base of a smooth groove and super-sounds-of-the-seventies style bass groove in what must be either a Precision or Jazz (musician-speak there), The Summercamp delivers said personality within the lines of the lyrics and throughout the video. This, to me, is the perfect example of a ‘jam band’. I say this because that groove is indicative of such. These guys bring the party and the video shows that with its creativity and originality.
And for those thinking that groove is consistent through the track, wait until the 3-minute mark when the song and video take a dramatically dark turn and get downright dirty. You will love it!
LINKS:
https://www.thesummercampmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/thesummercampmusic
http://instagram.com/the_summercamp
https://thesummercamppgh.bandcamp.com
https://artist.landr.com/music/628810020652
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5JdLem1bxjdsTBPhTM1bsx?si=z6BPLcd_ThCr6addriVKQQ
https://twitter.com/the_summercampAbout The Veldt
The Veldt is a band that has earned more than their reputation as shoe-gaze and alt-rock legends and pioneers. And now that is more evident in their new tour with guests including Seefeel, Your 33 Black Angels-Micah Gaugh-Honeychild Coleman & Haunted Horses among others (dates below).
And, in this interview, I get to talk with Danny Chavis. Along with his twin brother Daniel (vocals, guitar), and Hayato Nakao (bass), Marvin Levi (drums) and Alex Cox (guitar), are continuing to expose the masses with some of their new music (check out ‘Thanks to the Moth and Areanna Rose’ HERE) with a special glimpse of what to expect via the Raliegh, NC based show ‘Oak City Session’ below.
LINKS:
http://www.theveldtmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/VeldtThe
http://twitter.com/veldtthe
http://www.reverbnation.com/theveldt
http://theveldtmusic.bandcamp.com/releases
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCExvaP_PYVCPOyuvoFaVXkw/videos?sort=dd&view=0&shelf_id=0About Too Many T’s
Too Many T’s does it again with a catch-all-be-all true-to-form-wonder-of-words with their new video and single titled ‘Everyday People’ featuring french mega-mind ProleteR. To me, Too Many T’s is a perfect example of those artists who keep hip-hop pure and relevant in today’s world of increasing white noise. They are musical purists in the truest sense of the term. And they find like minds to consistently work with. In the ever-shrinking bubble of originality look no further than this dynamic duo to deliver us from evil.
‘Everyday People’ combines old school beats with older school horns and lifts them out of history with relevance that only comes from those who understand the relevance. I have officially met the artists in who, the old ways have joined then new.
LINKS:
http://toomanyts.com
https://www.facebook.com/toomanyts
https://instagram.com/toomanyts
https://www.twitter.com/toomanytsClick HERE to watch Season 5 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 4 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 3 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 2 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 1 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’. -
Magnus Premieres ‘Detachment’ Album (The Week in #Indie Segment)
Magnus has released their sophomore effort titled ‘Detachment’. ‘Detachment’ is an album that, if listened to in order, gives a brilliant perspective of the artists involved. Partly because of the songwriting but there is more than that. There is this fire of creativity within the guitars, vocals, and rhythm that bubble up and sometimes feel as if they need restrained. The hooks are encapsulated within a barrage of soundscapes both dirty and clean that give a wonderfully decadent vibe throughout no matter what the overall vibe of the track is. This is one of those albums you just hit play and drive down that highway, letting ‘Detachment’ attach itself to your future memories.
ABOUT MAGNUS
Sydney band Magnus formed in 2012 to bring their urgency, fearlessness in experimentation, and healthy disregard for genres to Australian music. Their name, derived from “Magn-hus” and translating as “powerhouse” in Old Norse, is a testament to their live performances. A casual open mic at Melbourne’s world-famous Cherry Bar landed them a residency there and eventually nomination for the Best live band of the year award by invite of owner James Young Himself.
Their debut album, “I”, received critical acclaim by both online and print media with The Sydney Morning Herald states: “The band clearly likes to tease and with terrific self-confidence, in their undoubted abilities the approach does create a lively anxiousness within their music.”.
In 2017 work on Detachment started with a DIY approach which resulted in recorded demos in their rehearsal space mixed at their home studio. Convinced this album needed to have an “all-or-nothing” approach, these demos were sent out around the world and sparked interest from big names such as Steve Albini, Alan Moulder & Bob Clearmountain.
In 2018 recording of the album took place under the supervision of five-time Aria award-winning producers Paul McKercher. With COG’s Lucius Borichon drums it promises an even more raw and visceral approach, yet maintaining the unexpected twists and turns Magnus has become known for.
Both Paul and the legendary Bob Clearmountain (multi-Grammy winner & nominee, USA – Rolling Stones, Springsteen, The Preatures) are credited in mixing and Big Bass Brian Gardner (multi-Grammy winner & nominee known for QOTSA Songs for the Deaf and his work with Dr. Dré), for mastering the album. Upcoming single “Detachment” came together in a completely haphazard way.
After stumbling over an essential bass groove, the band plugged it into their recording kit and made the rest of it up as they went along. Running themes for the song were inspired by a combination of the bleak aggression, stabbing guitars, and call to arms U2’s “Bullet in the Sky” boasts juxtaposed with the story of a man opting for a life of detachment. Detachment is set for release tomorrow (April 24, 2020).
LINKS:
https://www.entermagnus.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7nh8fJMJ1lLweOkBLJkUtS?si=6tJlDg9lRI-obMMJiwAocQ
https://entermagnus.bandcamp.com
https://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/magnus/1452892942
https://www.facebook.com/entermagnus
https://instagram.com/entermagnus
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmRwaCZMSRE6smrseUT2ies5wBAeboVr5
https://soundcloud.com/entermagnus